“And the servants of Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say ‘peace,’” (Quran 25:63). The Quran gives Muslims clear instructions on how to respond to ignorance, and this is my response to the wave of Islamophobia that plagues our country, state and most recently, our university.
Even if these people who are ignorant about Muslims use a Quranic verse, most of the time it is taken out of context and the writer does not understand the true meaning. Anyone who reads the Quran with understanding cannot come away from the experience without knowing it speaks for justice and peace.
Islam is a light that burst forth from the Arabian Peninsula and spread peace and justice in the world at a time when Europe languished in the dark ages. The fact that Islam reversed the downward spiral of society and brought a variety of positive changes to the world is an accepted fact to most Western historians.
Before Islam, in many parts of the world where Islam is the dominant religion there was little justice in society. Women were treated as property and infanticide was commonplace. But when Islam was put into practice, the status of women was brought up to be equal to that of men. Islam gave women the rights of divorce and inheritance, as well as the right to own property. Islam not only gave rights to women, children and animals but also non-Muslims under Muslim rule.
The prophet Muhammad said Islam was meant, not only as a mercy on Muslims, but as a mercy on all creation. Certain people say Muslims in America are peaceful, but their religion is inherently violent. How can this be true if the majority of American Muslims strive to follow the message of Quran and the example of the Prophet Muhammad that preaches peace, justice and equality?
Islam has been present in Columbia for more than 40 years, and the Muslim community here strives to follow the practice of the Prophet. If you want to know the truth about Islam just ask a Muslim.
The MSA has tables on Greene Street throughout the week, as well as several events planned as part of Islamic Awareness Week to dispel common misconceptions. Free Qurans are available at the tables.